SEPTEMBER 24TH (OUR LADY OF MERCY)

Today The Church Celebrates Our Lady Of Mercy.
As the Mother of Jesus, our Merciful Redeemer, Our Lady is rightly named Mother of Mercy. The origin of this title dates back to the Middle Ages and the foundation of the Order of Our Lady of Mercy after Mary appeared to St. Peter Nolasco, his confessor St. Raymund of Penafort and King James I of Aragon and Catalonia in 1218. Mary requested them to establish a religious order entrusted with the responsibility of rescuing Christians who were being held captive by the Moorish armies who invaded the Iberian Peninsula. St. Peter Nolasco created a plan to redeem these people. He and his companions dedicated their lives and possessions to gathering alms to free or ransom them from their captors.
The Feast of Our Lady of Ransom was instituted and observed on September 24, first in the order, then everywhere in Spain and France. It was extended to the entire Church by Pope Innocent XII. Today Mary is honored under the title of “Our Lady of Mercy” throughout the world by countless parishes, schools and hospitals who embrace her as their Patroness.
FEAST FUN FACT… As a Church, we show our love for Mary as we honor her with feasts, memorials and solemnities throughout the liturgical year. We know Mary by many names besides Our Lady of Mercy. We call her Mother of God, Queen of Heaven, Star of the Sea, Immaculate Mary and other names. Catholics in other countries also have special names and days to honor Mary as Mother, Protector and Evangelizer. What do you know about the following Mary observances: Our Lady of La Vang (Vietnam), Our Lady of Africa, Our Lady of Manaoag (Philippines), or Our Lady Mother of Divine Providence (Puerto Rico)?